Zhizhu Monastery

Zhizhu Monastery is located on the renowned sacred mountain — Zhizhu Mountain — in Dingqing County, Chamdo City, eastern Tibet, at an altitude of around 4,800 meters. It is one of the highest-altitude monasteries in Tibet and also one of the oldest and most important temples of the Bon religion. Established 3,000 years ago under the advocacy of the second Tibetan king, Mu Trisong Detsen, and founded and passed down by the great accomplished master, the First Munpa Sonten, it is now in its 43rd generation. The presiding lama is revered as the “Zhizhu Living Buddha,” with the current abbot being Living Buddha Dingzhen Zupu Oser.

Multiple ancient scriptures record that Tonpa Shenrab Miwoche, the holy deity of the Bon religion, personally visited 33 treacherous high mountains in Tibet to bestow blessings and ensure the everlasting existence of the Bon teachings. Zhizhu Mountain is one of them. The footprints of the Buddha remain clearly imprinted on the mountain.

Tonpa Shenrab once prophesied: “When, in the future, the statue of the Buddha of Boundless Light, the white conch shell spiraling to the left, and a qualified sage gather at Zhizhu Mountain, it will signify the full presence of my body, speech, and mind. The flame of the Dharma on Zhizhu Mountain will shine brightly, illuminating the world.”

Historical records indicate that Zhizhu Monastery was initially built in the 4th century BCE and constructed 2,400 years ago by the second Tibetan king, Mu Trisong Detsen. During the ancient Zhangzhung era, the region centered around Qiongbu Zhizhu Monastery was called Songbalongqiangxue, known as the “Lower Gate” of ancient Zhangzhung. At its peak, the monastery housed over 500 monks. Today, having endured over 3,000 years of vicissitudes, Zhizhu Monastery still thrives with enduring incense offerings and a continuous stream of pilgrims.

During the visit, a massive cave was found on the steep peaks of Zhizhu Mountain. Legend has it that the cave was formed when a giant roc flew from afar and pierced through the mountain. Another tale says it was created by Gesar’s divine arrow, hence it is also called the Heavenly Gate. On either side of the gate stand a divine elephant that can cross mountains and a divine fish that swims across rivers and seas. It is said that if one can open the Heavenly Gate with their heart, they may ride the elephant and fish to the longed-for heavenly realm. To this day, the Elephant Mountain and Fish Mountain continue to vigilantly guard both sides of the Heavenly Gate.

The main hall of Zhizhu Monastery is magnificent, housing numerous exquisitely shaped and vividly crafted statues of deities and Buddhas, each unique in character. The murals within the hall are rich in color and hold significant artistic value. In addition to the murals, the monastery preserves countless precious cultural relics, including its sacred treasure — the Buddha of Infinite Life. There are also finely crafted gold-plated Danlangka statues and alloy-gilded Gong Sang A Ga figures. A finger cymbal bestowed by Emperor Xuande of the Ming Dynasty, as well as a calligraphy piece gifted by Emperor Kangxi to the then-monk Sangji Linba of Zhizhu Monastery, are also preserved here — serving as historical testimonies of the longstanding unity and exchange between Tibetan and Han peoples.

Behind Zhizhu Monastery lies the red mountain range of eastern Tibet — a mysterious danxia landform that is also one of the largest of its kind in China. Some have exclaimed that Zhizhu Monastery is the place farthest from the human world and closest to the heavens. This is hardly surprising, given how difficult it is to reach. But when you come here and gaze at the sky, standing within this cliffside temple, you’ll find the journey more than worthwhile and truly unforgettable.